Jaguar is seeking alternative funding within the next 14 months, as it looks to deal with the impact of a disastrous 2018 fourth quarter.

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Jaguar Land Rover is seeking US$1 billion in funding after a disastrous fourth quarter of 2018, huge-write downs on the value of its investments, and continued sales struggles in China.

According to a report from Automotive News Europe, the Indian-owned carmaker needs to raise US$1 billion ($1.4 billion) within the next 14 months to replace "maturing bonds" and fund the brand's expensive electric vehicle development program.

Rather than borrowing from the bond market, the company is looking at bank financing, leasing its assets or tapping into export credit.

Bloombergreports JLR's bonds – maturing in January 2026 – are currently sitting at a low point, equivalent to a yield around 8.9 per cent.

Speaking with investors last week, Tata Motors revealed just how tough JLR is doing it, announcing sales in China were down 35 per cent in the final three quarters of 2018.

In an interview with Bloomberg, Jaguar Land Rover treasurer Ben Birgbauer outlined some of the challenges facing his company.

"We have always said we monitor the debt market and look to issue debt when market conditions are more favourable."

Last month, the company announced plans to slash around 10 per cent of its workforce. Tata Motors, Jaguar Land Rover owner, says the savings from the program would be reflected in results for the first quarter of 2019.

Speaking with CarAdvice in October last year, Jaguar Land Rover CEO Ralf Speth said the production slowdown was caused by something of a perfect storm.

Along with the global decline in demand for diesel, uncertainty surrounding the US and Chinese trade war has played a role in the downturn as well.

“We have five global regions around the world and we are more or less nicely balanced in terms of volume across these markets, but depending on the level of downturn in China, the impact is most likely heavily affect the premium car market as a whole, no ifs or buts,” Speth said.